Final answer:
The lengthiest section of 'The Art of Courtly Love' reflects Platonic philosophy by advocating an idealized, spiritualized form of love. This concept aligns with Plato's theory of forms, suggesting that true love is an immutable, higher reality that transcends physical desire.
Step-by-step explanation:
The lengthiest section of The Art of Courtly Love is modeled after Plato, where Andreas Capellanus inserts a dialogue on the philosophy of love. This dialogue is reflective of Platonic thought, emphasizing the concept of an idealized form of love that is non-physical and exists on a higher moral plane. Thus, high-minded, spiritual love is given precedence over physical desire, echoing Platonic theory of forms where true reality is seen as immutable and existing beyond the material world.
The literature of the period, including courtly romances and troubadour songs, often linked these concepts of love to chivalric acts done in honor of noble ladies, drawing inspiration from figures in the court of King Arthur. The symbolic representation of love in these tales is akin to what Plato discusses in his own works: an immutable ideal that is to be aspired to, rather than purely physical expressions of love.